The food or drink may discolor it and the food particles may accumulate on the mouth guard, providing a breeding place for bacteria and viruses. The material will discolor, become brittle and may warp or break. The surest way to do this is through careful maintenance of your night guard. Cleaning night guards is a commonly ignored matter when it should be imperative.
There are several ways of cleaning your night guard. One quick way is cleaning it using cold water, a toothbrush and toothpaste; just like you clean your own teeth. Keep in mind though that some toothpastes can be very abrasive. An ideal solution is to purchase a natural cleanser — such as Dr. Using a soft toothbrush, place a tiny piece of peppermint soap on the brush and gently clean your guard.
Remember to dry it completely afterwards. It leaves a nice peppermint smell. At this point, you may have a concern about the distraction of sleeping with plastic in your mouth. Who wouldn't? Like anything new, it's a lesson in patience! To make wearing your mouthguard a nightly habit, you need to wear it consistently for at least a month. If you've tried wearing your mouthguard, but it's just too uncomfortable or doesn't fit correctly, don't be shy about letting your dental professional know.
They can check the problem, fix it, and help you get back on the road to regular wear. Just like you clean your teeth every day to remove bacteria, it should be no surprise that you'll need to clean and sanitize your mouthguard after wearing it. It would help if you brushed your guard with a toothbrush and toothpaste after wearing it. Rinse it well, and take time once every week or two to soak it in an antimicrobial solution, such as diluted mouthwash or denture cleaner.
Make sure it's dry and store it in a ventilated case. Look for any cracks or rough edges so you won't have a mouthguard that irritates your gums or stores bacteria. Before you decide whether a mouthguard is the answer to your particular dental problem, be sure to consult a professional. We all hope that brushing and interdental cleaning our teeth every day is enough to keep our mouths healthy.
But unexpected, yet common issues like TMD, sleep apnea, and bruxism often come into play. And since you're already so dedicated to your oral health, you know that prevention is the key. Making the commitment and conscious effort to wear your mouthguard regularly will be crucial to keeping your enamel strong and your smile confident! This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics.
It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
Shop Now. Our Mission. Contact Us. United States US English. Submit an Idea. Brand Logo. All rights reserved. Terms Of Use. Additionally, there are night guards, mouth guards, and occlusal splints specifically for TMJ and the resulting jaw pain.
These include repositioning splints, stabilization splints, and NTI devices. The lifespan of these dental guards will vary. Cleaning your night guard is imperative to prolong the life of your mouth guard. Cleaning your mouth guard should be part of your daily dental care. Dental professionals strongly recommend that you brush your night guard daily, with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Avoid using hot water to clean the guard as this can soften the plastic and change the shape.
In addition, complete a deep clean of the device every other week. Some effective methods of deep cleaning your mouth guard include:. In addition to cleaning the device regularly, you should store your mouth guard in a dry plastic case. Be sure to completely dry your night guard off before placing it in the case. This will help to avoid bacterial growth.
Shop Now. A custom-fitted mouth guard for bruxism will usually last between 6 months and 3 years. This form of treatment may help you avoid cosmetic dentistry and other invasive dental work in the future. Over-the-counter mouth guards are cheaper but do not have the durability and protection of a custom-fit night guard.
A clean, rigid and ventilated plastic container works best, and should not be exposed to prolonged direct sunlight or sources of heat. And of course, the case you keep your mouthguard in must be kept clean too. The mouths of young athletes — particularly those under the age of 14 — are still changing, so in order to maintain effectiveness, a new impression may be required every so often for their custom mouthguard.
While impressions should last about two years for young athletes, the mouth stops changing around the age of 14 and then an impression gives you the perfect fit forever. Thankfully, custom mouthguards make that easy, compared to generic boil-and-bite mouthguards! Make Your Mouthguard More Effective.
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